Bolivia and Olympism Inspired by the Olympic philosophy, we in Bolivia have succeeded, thanks to the development of sport, in preserving the peoples health, encouraging their competitive spirit and forming their character through struggle, a balanced approach and discipline. José Gamarra Zorrilla President of the COB and holder of the Olympic Order BOLIVIA 1,098,150 sq. km. 5,800,OOO inhabitants (approximately). Role of the COB to expand and protect the Olympic movement, to facilitate the practice of sport, to organise, together with the sports federations, national delegations for the Olympic Games as well as for the Pan-American and Bolivarian Games. Creation Comité Olímpico Boliviano (COB) Founded on 17th June 1932. Recognised by the IOC in 1936. President in office : Mr. José Gamarra Zorrilla *. Secretary General in office : Mr. Jorge España Ortiz *. Address : Calle México No 1752, Casilla 4481, La Paz, Bolivia. Telephone : 343024, 357995. Telegram : Colímpico. Telex : Codebol BX 5741. Through the initiative of José Luis Sorzano, lawyer and influential political figure, and the leaders of the athletics federation, the NOC was founded in La Paz on 17th June 1932. Two years later, the President of the COB, Mr. J. L. Tejada Sorzano, became President of the Republic and under his mandate the first Bolivian delegation took part in the celebration of an Olympiad in 1936. Founding members of the COB José Luis Tejada Sorzano, Alfredo H. Otero, Gustavo C. Otero. Emilio Villanueva, Julio de Zabala and Jorge M. Rodriguez Hurtado. IOC members in Bolivia * See biographical notes. None to date. 275
Successive Presidents of the COB 1932-1936 : Jose Luis Tejada Sorzano. 1940-1946 : Federico Nielsen Reyes *. 1946-1948 : Guillermo Gonzales Quint. 1948-1952 : Carlos Terrazas Torres *. 1956-1959 : Jose Paz Antezana. 1959-1962 : Armando Prudencio. 1962-1963 : Carlos Terrazas Torres *. 1964-1967 : Roberto Soriano Escobar. 1967-1969 : Alfredo Ovando Candia. 1969-1970 : Carlos Terrazas Torres *. Since 1970 : Jose Gamarra Zorrilla. Carlos Terrazas Torres José Gamarra Zorrilla BOlLlVlA AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES Date of first participation : 1936. Conrad Machuca, who took part in the 100 m. freestyle event at the Games of the Xlth Olympiad, had the honour of being the first Bolivian to compete in the Olympic Games. Since 1964, the COB has sent delegations to all the Summer Games. The best sports performance achieved by a Bolivian athlete in Olympic competition was recorded by horseman Roberto Nielsen Reyes during the 1972 Games in Munich. Representation of Bolivia at the Olympic Games 1936 1 1 1964 1 1 1968 1 1 2 4 1972 4 1 6 11 1976 1 1 1 1 4 To date, no female Bolivian athletes have participated in the Olympic Games. 276
THE COB AND OLYMPISM Olympic Awards obtained Olympic Order Bronze medal (1978 edition) To Mr. Jose Gamarra Zorrilla *, for his unceasing efforts in the promotion and the organisation of sport in Bolivia. Olympic day Although mentioned in the COB s statutes, Olympic day is not yet celebrated. Organisation of the Bolivarian Sports Games La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, was the host city for the 8th Bolivarian Sports Games in 1977 (15th-31st October). Lord Killanin presents the Olympic Order to Mr. Zorrilla. Organisation of the first Cruz del Sur Sports Games La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz served as sites for the first Cruz del Sur Sports Games in 1978 (3rd-13th November). 277
PRESENT ORGANISATION OF THE COB tatives of each national federation governing a sport on the Olympic programme, former Presidents of the COB The present statutes were ap- and various dignitaries having rendered proved in 1978. outstanding service for the betterment of sport. The Assembly is composed of the As a central body, it carries out President of the NOC, the IOC member elections of officials and members of in Bolivia, the Presidents or represen- commissions in addition to approving Federations affiliated to the COB Year founded Year affiliated to CNO Athletics 1929 1932 Basketball 1936 1936 Boxing 1940 1940 Cycling 1945 1945 Equestrian 1936 1936 Fencing 1943 1943 Football 1925 1925 Gymnastics 1974 1974 Weightlifting 1965 1968 Judo 1976 1976 Wrestling 1977 1977 Swimming 1940 1940 Skiing and Mountaineering 1939 1939 Tennis 1937 1951 Shooting 1957 1957 Volleyball 1957 1957 500 180 150 115 500 190 190 200 3 000 800 3 500 270 250 100 185 10 000 200 50 300 250 3 000 200 4 000 7 500 380 400 150 220 18 000 400 450 300 800 400 5 000 500 8 500 278
activity and financial reports and authorising participation on the part of national sports delegations in Olympic, Continental and Regional Games. The Executive, elected from among the members of the Assembly, consists of a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary General, a Treasurer and a recording secretary. The President is elected for a four-year term, other members of the Board for two years. The Executive is responsible for the administration and operation of the COB. A number of commissions (techni- Cal, finance, medical, juridical...) provide assistance for the Executive. Financing of the COB The better part of the NOC s resources are derived from a state subsidy. Present members of the Executive Board PT : Jose Gamarra Zorrilla * ; VPT : Dr. Antonio Landaeta ; SG : Jorge España Ortiz * ; T : Javier Ballivián ; Recording S: Dr. Ricardo Cordová Core. SPORT IN BOLIVIA Other sports governing bodies The General Secretariat for Sports and Youth Affairs implements the Government s sports policies. The National Sports Institute (formerly the National Committee for Sport). State aid for the sports movement The State subsidises the NOC and the national sports federations, issues study scholarships and provides economic assistance to the country s most talented athletes. Sport at school The development and practice of sport in the schools is the responsibility of the Physical Education Board. Sports experiencing the biggest development Basketball, boxing, football, volleyball. 279
Sports which draw the biggest crowds Basketball, boxing, equestrian, football, swimming, volleyball. Portion of the national budget allotted to sport Approximately 1%. Sports lnstallations According to 1977 statistics, the nation s facilities include the following : 180 football fields. 10 400 m. athletics tracks. 1 50 m. swimming pool. 10 25 m. swimming pools. 40 gymnasia. Javier Ballivián Dr. Antonio Landaeta The percentage of practising sportsmen is estimated by the COB to be approximately 5%. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES José Gamarra Zorrilla President of the Bolivian Olympic Committe since 1970. Born on 27th May 1924. After the completion of studies in economics in Argentina and the United States. he became a well known expert in agriculture. He served as a Bolivian consul in the United States of America from 1966 to 1967 and, following his return to Bolivia, devoted himself to sports administration. The work he accomplished as the head of a number of bodies, namely the Bolivian equestrian federation, the National Sports Committee and the Bolivarian Sports Organisation (Secretary General, 1973). in addition to his involvement as President of the Organising Committees for the Bolivarian Games, staged in Bolivia for the first time in 1977, and for the first Cruz del Sur sports Games, earned him wide respect. In 1978, he was awarded the bronze medal in the Olympic Order. Serves as Vice-President of the ODEBO. Through Mr. Zorrilla s generosity, the NOC was provided with a separate headquarters and a department of sports medicine was created. Federico Nielsen Reyes Born on 9th January 1904 in La Paz. Ambassador. While a student, he took part in the 1930 Olympic Congress in Berlin as an observer. Ha was one of the first leaders of Olympism and as a charge d affaires in Germany was in charge of the first national Olympic delegation in 1936. Mr. Reyes was the founder of the National Sports Committee (1936) and assumed the duties of President of the NOC from 1940 to 1946. Since that time, he has never ceased working in a number of capacities, for the betterment of the sports movement and served, in particular, on the Bolivarian Games Council (1965-1974). Jorge España Ortiz Carlos Terrazas Torres President of the COB from 1948 to 1952, 1962-1963 and from 1969 to 1970. Born on 14th November 1914. Lawyer. Over a span of 40 years of activity within the COB, he has filled the highest posts of that body. Jurist and prominent law professor, Dr. Terrazas held important positions in the governmental, academic and legal fields : Deputy Secretary of State within the Ministry of Justice and Immigration (1947-1948), responsible for drawing up a draft Bolivarian Trade Code (1962), university rector (1967-1970). Minister for the Supreme Court of Justice. He was also responsible for the general secretariat of the 8th Bolivarian Sports Games and founded the Sports Journalists Society in 1941. Jorge España Ortiz Secretary General of the COB since 1978. Born on 9th December 1942. He has assumed a number of responsible positions within the COB since 1968 (except from 1974 to 1975). A member of technical and finance commissions within the administration of a number of firms. Founded the Bolivarian Sports federations of judo, wrestling, gymnastics as well as weightlifting of which he currently serves as President. Since 1974, he has acted as President of the South American weightlifting confederation. Author of the COB s statutes and regulations currently in force. Served as the COB delegate to several ODEBO and ODESUR Congresses. He held the posts of Technical Co-ordinator (1973-1976) and then of Director of Protocol for the 8th Bolivarian Sports Games (1976). 280